CURRENT AFFAIRS

By :- Sachin Patil
1) Asan Barrage
2) Kanwar Taal or Kabar Taal Lake
3) Sur Sarovar
4) Lonar Lake
declared as Ramsar sites
1) Asan Barrage
 ACR is a 444-hectare stretch of the Asan River running down to its confluence with the 
Yamuna River in Dehradun district of Uttarakhand. It is Uttarakhand's first Ramsar Site.
 The damming of the River by the Asan Barrage in 1967 resulted in siltation above the dam
wall, which helped to create some of the Site’s bird-friendly habitats.
 These habitats support 330 species of birds including the critically endangered red-headed
vulture (Sarcogyps calvus), white-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis) and Baer’s
pochard (Aythya baeri).
 Other non-avian species present include 49 fish species, one of these being the endangered
Putitora mahseer (Tor putitora). Fish use the site for feeding, migration and spawning.
2) Kanwar Taal or Kabar Taal Lake
 Also known as Kanwar Jheel, it covers 2,620 hectares of the Indo-Gangetic plains in the Begusarai
district of Bihar.
 It acts as a vital flood buffer for the region besides providing livelihood opportunities to local
communities.
 Significant biodiversity is present, with 165 plant species and 394 animal species recorded, including 221
bird species. It is also a valuable site for fish biodiversity with over 50 species documented.
 It is an important stopover along the Central Asian Flyway, with 58 migratory waterbirds using it to rest
and refuel.
 Five critically endangered species inhabit the site, including three vultures – the red-headed
vulture (Sarcogyps calvus), white-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis) and Indian vulture (Gyps
indicus) – and two waterbirds, the sociable lapwing (Vanellus gregarius) and Baer’s pochard (Aythya
baeri).
 Major threats to the Site include water management activities such as drainage, water abstraction,
damming and canalization.
3) Sur Sarovar
 It is also known as Keetham lake situated within the Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, which was
declared as a bird sanctuary in the year 1991.
 Location:

 This lake is situated alongside river Yamuna in Agra, Uttar Pradesh.

 The Soor Sarovar bird sanctuary covered an area of 7.97 sq km.
 It is today home to more than 165 species of migratory and resident birds.
 It also has a Bear Rescue centre for rescued dancing bears.
4) Lonar Lake
 The Lonar lake, situated in the Deccan Plateau’s volcanic basalt rock, was created by
the impact of a meteor 35,000 to 50,000 years ago.
 The lake is part of Lonar Wildlife Sanctuary which falls under the unified control of
the Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR).
 It is also known as Lonar crater and is a notified National Geo-heritage Monument. Geo-
heritage refers to the geological features which are inherently or culturally significant offering
insight to earth’s evolution or history to earth science or that can be utilized for education.
 It is the second Ramsar site in Maharashtra after Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary in
Nashik district.
 The water in the lake is highly saline and alkaline, containing special microorganisms like
anaerobes, Cyanobacteria and phytoplankton.
 Wetlands
 A wetland is a distinct ecosystem that is flooded by water, either permanently or seasonally,
where oxygen-free processes prevail.The primary factor that distinguishes wetlands from
other land forms or water bodies is the characteristic vegetation of aquatic plants,adapted to
the unique hydric soil. Wetlands play a number of functions, including water purification,
water storage, processing of carbon and other nutrients, stabilization of shorelines, and
support of plants and animals.
SWAMP MARSH
Ramsar Convention
Signed :- 2 February 1971
Location :- Ramsar, Iran
Effective :- 21 December 1975
Condition :- Ratification by 7 states
Parties :- 171 Country
Depositary :- Director General of UNESCO

The aim of the Ramsar list is to develop and sustain a network of wetlands by maintaining components of their
ecosystem and processes.
The wetlands declared as Ramsar sites protected under strict guidelines of the convention.
 With latest inclusions, the total number of Ramsar sites in India is 41, the highest in South
Asia.
 It came into force for India on 1st February, 1982. Those wetlands which are of international
importance are declared as Ramsar sites.

 The Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International

Importance where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to
occur as a result of technological developments, pollution or other human interference. It
is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.
 At present, two wetlands of India are in Montreux Record:

 Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and

 Loktak Lake (Manipur).
.
 First Site in the World :- Cobourg Peninsula (Australia -1974)
 First Site in the India :- Chilika Lake ( Odisha – 1981)
 Uttar Pradesh has the most number of Ramsar Sites in India. It has 8 Indian Wetlands.
 Total Heritage Sites :- 1121
 1st Country :- Italy (55)
 2nd Country :- China (55)
 3rd Country :- Spain (48)
 6th Country :- India (38)
 World’s first heritage site :- Galapagos Islands - 1978 ( Ecuador)
 India’s first heritage site :- Ajanta Caves – 1983 (Maharashtra)
 Most Sites in India :- Maharashtra(5)

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

Est. :- 4 November 1946
HQ :- Paris, France
Members :- 193 country
Director-General :- Audrey Azoulay